How to Spend 3 Days in Copenhagen

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Three days is ample time to get acquainted with Copenhagen’s charms. Couple sightseeing tours by bus, boat, and bike with visits to the city’s world-class museums and palaces. And don’t forget to take advantage of Copenhagen’s proximity to southern Sweden and the scenic Danish countryside. Here’s how to plan the perfect 3-day stay—day trip included.

Day 1: Sightseeing Musts

Dedicate your first day in Copenhagen to the city’s top sights. Whether you choose to explore by hop-on hop-off bus tour, wend your way along the Danish capital’s scenic canals on a cruise, or take to the streets like the locals do and travel by bike, start your explorations with a tour that provides an introductory overview to the city. Spot the harborside Little Mermaid statue, take in the much-photographed views of the Nyhavn waterfront, and discover the city’s alternative side with a glimpse of Freetown Christiania. Later, stroll to the expansive Torvehallerne food hall to relax with a bite before continuing your explorations. Wrap up the day with a visit to Tivoli Gardens, the city’s colorful (and historical) amusement park, open well after dark.

Day 2: Top Museums, Palaces, and Eats

Once you’ve oriented yourself, use the second day of your Copenhagen visit to delve further into the city’s wealth of culture. The Danish capital is home to several world-class museums, including the National Museum of Denmark (where you’ll find artifacts dating back to Viking times) and the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, an art museum that contains masterpieces by artists such as Rodin, Gauguin, and Van Gogh. The city’s elegant palaces are also a worthy draw: take in the Renaissance splendor of the Rosenborg Castle, see the Changing of the Guard at Amalienborg Palace (home to the Danish royal family), or go for a tour of the 12th-century Christiansborg Palace and its lavish interiors. A Copenhagen Card includes entry to many of the city’s top landmarks and institutions. End the day on a decadent note with a meal at one of the city’s top-rated restaurants.

Day 3: Day Trips from Copenhagen

Neighboring Sweden is so easy to access from Copenhagen that you don’t even need to hop on a plane. The magnificent Øresund Bridge links the Danish capital with southern Sweden, making it simple to visit by car or by train. Book a day trip and venture to Malmö—Sweden’s third-largest city—to see its hyper-modern skyscrapers contrasted with historical sights like the Malmö Castle. From Malmö, Lund, one of Sweden’s top university towns, is also just a quick journey away. Alternatively, Copenhagen serves as a gateway to the beautiful Danish countryside. Denmark is home to fairy-tale–worthy castles like Kronborg Castle (which inspired William Shakespeare’s Hamlet) and Frederiksborg Castle, and day trip itineraries from Copenhagen take all the stress out of exploring them.

Get the best from Denmark’s charm-laden capital for less with the great-value Copenhagen Card. Choose a 24-, 48-, 72- or 120-hour card, and use it like your very own Copenhagen pass: enjoying a plethora of savings and benefits that help you make the very most of this beautiful city. Gain free entry to 73 top Copenhagen attractions, including the legendary Tivoli Gardens and awesome Den Blå Planet aquarium; get valuable discounts on select tours, museum tickets and more; and enjoy free, unlimited use of the city’s public transport networks.

Dip into the trendy food and restaurant scene of the Danish capital on this 4-hour Copenhagen food and walking tour. With a guide, learn about the city’s burgeoning reputation for fresh, light and seasonal cuisine made using natural produce, and seek out the locals’ favorite eateries, shops and markets. Food samples vary on each tour depending on the season, but expect to enjoy goodies that will pretty much make up a full meal, from artisanal cheeses to open sandwiches, organic hot dogs, apple wine and delicious craft beers.

Discover why they call it 'Wonderful Copenhagen' on this City Sightseeing hop-on hop-off tour of Denmark's postcard-pretty capital. Choose from three routes and stay aboard to gaze at the sights, or hop on and off at any stop to explore on foot. Listen to the interesting onboard commentary; admire must-sees such as the Little Mermaid statue and Amalienborg Palace; and hop off to visit attractions such as the Tivoli Gardens and more. Your ticket is valid for 72 hours from first use.

The Swedish towns of Malmö and Lund are perfect complements to each other—Lund is rich with viking history, while Malmö is a hopping cultural hub. This small-group tour from Copenhagen allows you to experience the highlights of both locations alongside a guide, with round-trip transportation for a seamless experience. If you choose, explore Malmö on your own after the tour and return by train (ticket included).

See the spectacular sights of Copenhagen from the city’s picturesque canals on a 1-hour water cruise of the Danish capital that includes priority access to the Tivoli Gardens. Climb aboard your sightseeing boat and set sail on the winding waterways of the city; glide past the iconic The Little Mermaid statue and gaze at the regal resplendence of Amalienborg Palace as you pass. Capture photographs of the quaint Christianshavn district and then head to the immensely entertaining Tivoli park to make the most of your skip-the-line ticket. Ride on exhilarating roller coasters and gentle carousels and absorb the festive atmosphere of the carnival.

Explore the historical highlights and cultural delights of Copenhagen by both bus and boat on a hop-on hop-off tour of the Danish capital. Mix and match four interconnected sightseeing routes to see all of the city’s spectacular sights; whenever an attraction captures your attention, hop off to find out more and then rejoin the route at a time and stop convenient to you. Tickets are valid for 48 hours from first use and can be used on both the double-decker bus and the open-air boat.

Explore the Danish capital of Copenhagen like a local—on a bicycle—during this half-day tour. Leave the directions and navigation to a guide, just pedal along and enjoy the scenery, passing highlights such as the Rosenborg Castle and Amalienborg Palace. Limited to just 10 people, this small-group tour guarantees an intimate atmosphere and plenty of personalized attention.

Get to know the ins and outs of Copenhagen's major attractions on this half-day walking tour. A great choice for first-time visitors or those short on time, this tour hits all the highlights of the city, such as the Town Hall Square, Christiansborg Palace, the Marble Church, Nyhavn, and Amalienborg Palace. Listen to in-depth commentary from your guide on the people, history, food, and culture of the city.

Immortalized in print as the setting of Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Kronborg Castle (also known as Hamlet Castle) is one of Denmark’s top attractions and a convenient day trip from downtown Copenhagen. This private tour provides an in-depth exploration of the UNESCO-listed castle, its history, and Danish culture—with the full attention of your guide and no unknown guests.

Find your bearings in a new city and enjoy an immersive experience of Copenhagen as you stroll its streets on a private walking tour. Benefit from a flexible itinerary to visit landmarks such as the Little Mermaid, Christiansborg, and the Rundetaarn, gaining insight into the city’s history and culture along the way from your personal guide.